- Aoba
ATTENTION: After the strong eruption in December 2005, Ambae volcano (VANUATU) has still alert level 1, indicating a hot dome inside a crater lake. Ambae volcano began erupting after being dormant for about 120 years. 5000 people were evacuated from dangerous areas in the east and west of the island in December 2005. In July 2006 the lake calour of Ambea changed dramatically to red. Bigger phreatic eruptions can occure at any time.
- Arenal
ATTENTION: Climbing the volcano Arenal is not only prohibited, it's simply suicide because the summit of Arenal is one active lava dome. Pyroclalstic flows can occure at any time, so keep distance as it's set by the local authorities (national park).
- Etna
Eruption-NEWS: Strombolian activity starting on Aug., 29th culminated into a paroxysm on Sep., 4th at the SE-crater with lava flows into the Valley del Bove.
INFO: This mountain is more than 3000 meters high and has to be taken as an alpine region with snowstorms even in the summer month. Suddenly appearing clouds and mist can make orientation very difficult. Bring always worm cloth, a helmet, a lot of drinking water and a compass. Avoid going alone and if you don't know the terrain do not climb the crater area without a guide. Activity by one of the craters on Etna could have started just before your arrival, so check with locals first.
ATTENTION: The individual access further than 2900 meters (or beyond Torre del filosofo)to the summit of Etna without a guide is not allowed. And groups are limited to 10 people above 2900 m altitude. The summit craters are always good to erupt with litte signs in a sudden.
- Erta Ale
ATTENTION: The political situation (03/07) in Ethiopia with it's military confrontation towards Eritrea, the conflicts in Harerge (towards Somalia) and political clashes in Addis are hard to predict. There is an official warning by some countries for travelling to the Dankail (area controlled by the Afar tribe). Check carefully local news and your travel operators before you start to go! In spring 2007 a british group got kidnepped near Dallol.
EXPERIENCES: We (Fritsch, Szeglat, Szczepanski, Meyer, Albiez, Edelmann, Donth, Hesse) have experienced voluminous collapses of the crater walls (active pit). The lava layers at Erta Ale are unstable and sismic can cause rock fall at any time. Because of this a descent into the pit is risky. A gas mask inside and sometimes aswell outside the craters can be necessary.
- Merapi
ADVISE: Merapi is certainly not a volcano to climb. Specially in the south pyroclastic flows can occure at any time and can travel very far distance. Volcano guides, such as Cristian Vogel at the southern foot of Merapi for example, are always in radio contact with the observation staff when guiding close to the volcano. Anything less than this could be deadly.
2006 HISTORY: As of the 16th of June 2006,
a large PF goes along the river at Kaliadem and kills two locals who tried to hide in a bunker. Because they could not close the door of the bunker, hot gas burned them to death.
27th of May 2006, EARTHQUAKE (6,2 Richter) at 5:57 local time an earthquake hit the city of Yogya and Gunung Merapi. Thousands of people could have been victims. So far the fragile erupting dome of Merapi did not show significant activity or collapses after the earthquake. Although some bigger PF's did occure.
- Nyamuragira/Nyiragongo
DANGER: After the 2006 elections (Kabila made the run), armed groups and gangs (most of allied with Bemba) around the Virunga volcanoes (East-Kongo) still control the area. For any accesss to the Virunga volcanoes on foot, check the current safty situation very carfully!
NEWS Nyamuragira had an eruption in December 2006, while Nyiragongo is still active with a lava lake. With Feb. 2007 the area ist still called "NO GO"!
- Oldoinyo Lengai
Eruption-NEWS (Sep.,5th 2007 ):
We visited Lengai between 21. and 23. of Aug, witnessing already strong effusiv activity inside and outside the crater, but on Sep., 4th the activty culminated into a very strong eruption some kilometers high and with vast quantities of lava. So far Lengai is closed to the public. Note, that from now on the climbing track might be hit (again) by deadly lava flows without any warning. More details will come soon under project "OLDOINYO LENGAI" .
Earthquake-NEWS: Some shallow tectonic earthquakes occured in the area of Lengai midd of July 2007. First it looked like that there was no impact on the activity (big eruption) of the volcano, but we kon't know of what is comming up next. See our Lengai project page!!!
WARNING by the frequent visitors of Oldoinyo Lengai (Keller, Nyamweru, Belton, Klaudius, Weber): Lengai is not a gentle "toy volcano". Do not climb hornitos, do not camp in the crater and avoid getting close (min. 100 m) to any erupting hornito, unless you know this volcano very well. The red Spitting Cobra, the Egyptian Cobra and Pythons were all seen at the top of Lengai (2900 m) and on the slopes. A leopard may stand infront of you as well on the top of Lengai and watch carefully the baboons and craws. If you think fo camping up there, do it in the south crater and NOT in the active crater. Accidents have nearly caused death to victims camping in the active crater.
- Pacaya
ADVISE: The area around the volcano is much safer today than it was in the late 90's. But it is still very adviseable to hike with a local guide. This is also because of Pacayas frequent strombolian activity which might be quite rough sometimes.
- Piton de la Fournaise
ADVISE: The April 2007 eruption on the east flank of Piton has caused a collaps of Dolomieu crater (about 300 m). This collaps at Dolomieu can continue so respect the local advises and indicated zones of high risks.
The eruption fissure during this period was closed to the public.
- Popocatepetl
ADVISE: The access to Paso de Cortés (3650 meters) can be off limit because of activity. From Paso de Cortés closer to the volcano or even climbing is strictly prohibited. Lahars, pyroclastic flows and rock fall occure often and this volcano can set free high quantities of energy in one sudden blast. Climbing the neighbouring Izta is relativly safe concerning eruptions - check authorities first.
- San Salvador
ATTENTION: Robberies have been reported by people walking alone on San Salvador volcano. The areas at the slopes of this volcano is inhabited by very poor people, criminal gangs and former political fighters. Firearms are common in El Salvador.
- Semeru
ATTENTION: The volcano Semeru has ongoing explosive activity. The rough climb is not recommended without official permit. Like during summer 2004, the access might be prohibited because of strong activity. If it's possible to climb the summit with a guide, bring a lot of water, warm cloth and a helmet. Do not think of going from the summit to the active crater and sticking your nose inside of it. Sudden eruption can cause deadly rock fall close to the crater.
NEWS: All times 2006/2007, strong activity accured at Semeru. The summit is not conciddered to be a safe place in general. We for example eyewitnessed eruptions throughing rocks further away from the crater than our position was. So keep maximum distance!
- Sheveluch
ADVISE: If you do have the rare adventage to visit Sheveluch, check with the local volcanologists at Kliuchy for the current stage of activity and do not enter the area without them!
- Stromboli
ADVISE: Camping or sleeping at the summit of Stromboli is prohibited, because a body who lies down gives more surface when lava bombs are falling down and less time to react. Do not leave the signed area or any path. Getting close to the craters is certainly fatal. Bring a helmet for safty when you climb to the individual limit of 400 m obove see level. Guided tours to the crater rim will provide helmets for visitors.
A new route up to the crater rim has opened in March 2005. This route (access) is limited to guided groups. Since the volcano is well monitored by cameras, this regulations can be controlled by authorities. A serious fine has been set up to threaten anyone not keeping this limits.
NEWS: Lava flow activity occured on Stromboli from 27/02/2007 until 04/04/2007. On 15/03/2007 a strong explosiv eruption feared the islanders. The summit (above 400 m altitude) of the volcano is closed for hiking so far (5/2007).
- Yasur
ADVISE: This strombolian volcano is erupting lava all year arround. The hike up there to the crater on a good road is easy, but because of changing activity levels from one day to the next, you are advised to go with a local guide to make your excursion as safe as possible.
NEWS: During September 2006 the acivity at Yasur increased to level 3. To climb further on than the parking area (or even that far) is dangerous because of lava bombs being thrown out onto the slopes of the volcano
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